ADJECTIVES

ERRISONA

(SYNTAX)

Adjectives modify (i.e. describe) nouns and pronouns.

The wise, handsome owl had orange eyes.

The position

Adjectives may come before the word they modify.

That is a cute puppy.

Adjectives may also follow the word they modify:

That puppy looks cute.

Which one(s)?

Alice wore the colorful outfit.

What kind?

Alice ate baby food.

How many?

Alice drank several sips of water.

Whose?

I can't find Alice's toys.

ADJECTIVES OR ADVERBS?Two key points to remember Adjectives describe nouns and pronouns

Your hat is old.

Adjectives answer one of three questions about a noun: which one, how many, or what kind?

Adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs

He slowly walked to the store.

Adverbs answer where, why, when, or how something happened

Adjectives or adverbs? confusing cases

Adjectives ending in -ly

Most adverbs end in -ly. There are also some adjectives ending in -ly. Examples are: costly, cowardly, deadly, friendly, likely, lively, lonely, lovely, silly, ugly etc.

She is a lovely girl.

There are no adverbs friendly / friendlily, lovely / lovelily etc.

Adjectives or adverbs? confusing cases (2)Some words can be used both as adjectives and as adverbs. Examples are: daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, early, leisurely etc.

We should catch an early train.

I got up early.

Adjectives or adverbs? confusing cases (3)Adjectives and adverbs with the same form

Some adjectives and adverbs have the same form. Examples are: fast and hard.

A fast car goes fast.

If you do hard work, you work hard.

SANKYU

2015